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HB 2377, a bill sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Tomei that looks to strengthen laws against people who use mobile devices (texting or talking) while driving, has made it out of the Senate Rules Committee (where it was stuck last time we checked in) and is headed for a vote on the Senate floor.
Rep. Carolyn Tomei Last time we checked in on HB 2377, it was on its way to easy passage on the House floor. It got through the House at the end of April by a vote of 38-22. Since then, it has had one reading in the Senate, bounced around to committees and work sessions … Read more
An exercise equipment store.(Photo © J. Maus) A bill introduced by the United States House of Representatives in April would allow Americans to spend up to $1,000 in pre-tax dollars in a “flex-spend” account for the purchase of “qualified sports and fitness expenses.” The Public Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act of 2009 (H.R. 2105, cleverly … Read more
“The transportation package passed today is the most environmentally progressive in Oregon’s history.”— From a statement by the Oregon Senate Democrats The Oregon State Senate has voted in favor of House Bill 2001 by a margin of 24-6. The bill, which backers say will create 4,600 jobs a year, did not include any changes from … Read more
As the work intensifies on Capitol Hill to re-write America’s next surface transportation bill, the lobbying is heating up to make sure it includes more money for biking and walking. As the prime pusher of pedaling in Congress, Rep. Earl Blumenauer will play an important role in making sure those who are writing the bill … Read more
It’s the morning after for Governor Kulongoski’s big transportation bill and a coalition of concerned advocates are trying to rally opposition. Last Friday, a special joint committee polished off final amendments and sent House Bill 2001 to the House and Senate Floors for a vote that will likely happen this week. After seeing those amendments, … Read more
The Capitol(Photo © J. Maus) The Bicycle Transportation Alliance‘s executive director and lobbyist Scott Bricker has helped lawmakers improve a new Urban Trail Fund that is part of the Governor’s transportation package. House Bill 2001 is still being worked on down in Salem, and amendments published earlier this week were very bad news for bike … Read more
Mayor Adams made a lot of promises. Has he kept them?(Photos © J. Maus) On May 26th, less than one week from today, Mayor Adams will have been in office for 100 business days. Shortly after taking office he released his “100 Day Action Plan” which contained a range of promised accomplishments from many different … Read more
Bike advocates huddled with theBTA’s Scott Bricker before testifying at the 2007 hearing.(Photo © J. Maus) With the prospects of bike funding looking grim Salem, the residents of Portland have a chance to set a different tone. Tonight (5/21) in Southeast Portland the Mayor and City Commissioners will listen to testimony about the Mayor’s proposed … Read more
Mary O’Donnell, shown hereat a press conference for the bill last June, lost her husband due to a careless driver.(Photos © J. Maus) At a work session of the House Judiciary Committee in Salem today, the BTA’s Vehicular Homicide Bill (HB 3399) was withdrawn from the agenda, thereby terminating its chances to become law this … Read more
Inside the House Transportation Committee.(Photos © J. Maus) As the clock ticks in Salem on the 2009 legislative session, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) and other bike advocates are making last ditch efforts to make Oregon’s laws more friendly to bikes. Today in Salem, work sessions (different from public hearings in that no testimony is … Read more
“I bike and walk a lot…I’m especially careful when people are on a cell phone because their attention is obviously on someone else and not me.”–State Rep. Carolyn Tomei, sponsor of a bill to ban use of mobile devices while driving. A bill that would ban cell phones and texting while driving passed out of … Read more